Prosecutors: No quick resolution to Jameis Winston case

Nov. 14, 2013
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Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) runs off the field following the Seminoles 41-14 victory against the Miami Hurricanes at Doak Campbell Stadium. / John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports

"We had no knowledge of this until (Wednesday)," State Attorney Willie Meggs said Thursday about the 11-month-old case. "I have made our office available to do whatever needs to be done. We will try to come to the right and just resolution in this case, wherever it leads us."

Chief Assistant State Attorney Georgia Cappleman said a weeks-long time frame was "probably realistic" for the office to conduct its investigation of the allegations related to the Dec. 7, 2012 complaint filed with TPD. Cappleman said her office has been in communication with the complainant and her aunt, an attorney who is representing her in the case.

Cappleman said she did not know what caused TPD to refer the dormant case to the State Attorney's Office this week. The move followed media inquires that began last week. TPD spokesman Officer David Northway said he was unable to provide any further details regarding the active, ongoing investigation. Cappleman said she was told by TPD officials they delayed referring the case because the complainant did not want to pursue charges.

Winston's attorney, Tim Jansen of Tallahassee, told the Democrat Wednesday a TPD officer informed him in February that the case had been closed, and he too did not know why it was being re-opened. Jansen said Winston, who has yet not been interviewed by police or prosecutors, denies any wrongdoing in the case. His team status has not changed and he is expected to start in Saturday's football game against Syracuse University.

FSU star quarterback Jameis Winston is being investigated in a sexual-battery case filed with Tallahassee police in December 2012.

No charges have been filed against Winston and the investigation remains active. An attorney representing Winston denied the allegation. If Winston were to be charged with a felony, he would be immediately suspended from competition, according to Chapter 201 (A) of the code of conduct in Florida State's Intercollegiate Athletics Policies and Procedures.

The complaint was filed Dec. 7, 2012, according to TPD reports. The complainant is cooperating with the State Attorney's Office, said Officer David Northway, spokesman for TPD.

Tallahassee attorney Tim Jansen said he is representing Winston.

"This case has been going on for over a year. The case was basically closed and we're not sure why it's opened up," Jansen said. "We've been cooperating with the law-enforcement agencies and we're hoping to get a quick resolution in favor of Mr. Winston."

Jansen said he was told by Tallahassee police last February, about a week after they first contacted him, that the case had been closed. "I talked to the police officer," Jansen said. "He said the case had been closed. I don't know of any reason for reopening it."

He said he found out Monday that a media outlet had requested relevant police records last Friday.

The FSU Athletic Department issued a statement before Winston spoke to reporters Wednesday evening - a session restricted to questions about football only.

"There is no change in Jameis Winston's status," on the team, said the statement, attributed to Associate Athletic Director Rob Wilson.

"Because the investigation has not been closed by TPD, we cannot comment further at this time," the statement said. "We look forward to a speedy resolution of the issue. â?¦ Coach (Jimbo) Fisher and Jameis will be answering questions about football only until there is a resolution."

At the site of his weekly radio show Wednesday night, Fisher did not mention the allegations. But he said of Winston: "I think the world of the young man. Always have."

Jansen said he provided eyewitness affidavits Tuesday to the state attorney. Though he would not disclose the details of the affidavits, Jansen said, "They're witnesses who were present who can provide vital information."

Jansen said Winston has not been interviewed by police or prosecutors.

TPD released an incident report on Wednesday in response to a request from the Tallahassee Democrat for any and all reports related to Winston.

The report, which was heavily redacted, does not mention Winston by name. It says the complaint was received at 4:01 a.m. and that the sexual battery occurred earlier on the morning of Dec. 7, 2012, between 1:30 a.m. and 2 a.m. The exact location was not listed, though the report says it happened at an apartment.

The incident report says the suspect is unknown. The narrative description from the investigating officer is redacted. The incident report describes the suspect as between 5 foot 9 and 5 foot 11 tall and 240 pounds. FSU athletics' media guide lists Winston as 6 foot 4 and 218 pounds.

The incident report indicated that evidence was collected from the complainant's body. Photos also were taken of the complainant. The victim told police she had been drinking alcohol the night of the incident.

Georgia Cappleman, chief assistant state attorney, said she can't discuss the case because it's an open investigation.

In an email sent Wednesday evening, Northway said TPD received several requests from local and national media about the complaint of a sexual battery.

"The case was assigned to the Special Victims Unit," Northway said. "TPD is continuing its investigation and has consulted with the State Attorney as to the direction of the case."

The Democrat on Wednesday morning requested police reports involving Winston. Throughout the day, TPD officials said they were redacting documents in response to the request. At 4:59 p.m., Northway sent an email to a Democrat reporter containing the incident report. Minutes later the police department released the incident report, without reference to Winston, to other media.

Winston, a redshirt freshman who has led Florida State to a 9-0 record and No. 2 national ranking, is considered a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy.

In his first season of college football, the Alabama native has completed 69.2 percent of his passes (166 of 240) for 2,661 yards, with 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He is passing for 295.7 yards per game.

He has been profiled by virtually every national media outlet, including a piece this week in ESPN The Magazine.

The Tallahassee Democrat's Ira Schoffel and USA TODAY Sports' George Schroeder and Dan Wolken contributed to this report.